Jacques Israelievitch, violin Benjamin Smith, piano Jihyun Ahn, cello

$20/$10

Programme

L. van Beethoven: Trio in D Major Op. 70 # 1 (Ghost)

Allegro vivace e con brio

Largo assai ed espressivo

Presto

D. Shostakovich Trio in e minor Op, 67

Andante

Allegro non troppo

Largo

Allegretto

Intermission

R. Schumann Trio in d minor Op. 63

Mit Energie und Leidenschaft

Lebhaft, doch nicht zu rasch

Langsam, mit inniger Empfindung

Mit Feuer

Jacques Israelievitch, violin

Internationally renowned violinist Jacques Israelievitch has enjoyed an exciting and varied career as concertmaster, soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and conductor. After making his debut on French National Radio at the age of eleven, Mr. Israelievitch went on to graduate from the Paris Conservatory at sixteen and was subsequently prizewinner at the International Paganini Competition. His teachers include Henryk Szeryng, Janos Starker, William Primrose, and Josef Gingold.

Mr. Israelievitch served as Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for a record-setting twenty years, and was formerly Assistant Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for six years and Concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for ten years. He teaches and performs each summer at the Chautauqua Institution and is a faculty member at the University of Toronto and York University. In growing demand as a conductor, he has been Music Director of the Koffler Chamber Orchestra since 2005.

As a soloist, Mr. Israelievitch has collaborated with Solti, Giulini, Slatkin, Davis, and Frühbeck de Burgos, appearing with many of the world’s major orchestras. As a distinguished chamber musician, he has performed with Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, and Yo-Yo Ma. He is violinist for the New Arts Trio. Mr. Israelievitch’s discography features more than 100 albums including the Juno Award nominated Suite Hebraique and the first-ever complete recording of Kreutzer’s 42 Studies for Solo Violin. He has premiered and recorded several concertos such as R. Murray Schafer’s The Darkly Splendid Earth: The Lonely Traveler.

In 2004, the French government named Mr. Israelievitch Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. He is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished contribution to the performing arts in Canada

Benjamin Smith, piano

A native of Chatham, Ontario, pianist Benjamin Smith has performed as soloist and chamber musician across both Canada and the United States. He has been a laureate of numerous competitions, including the 2013 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, the 2008 CMC Stepping Stone Competition, and the 2003 Edward Johnson Piano Competition. Orchestral appearances include the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, the New Juilliard Ensemble, Orchestra London, the Windsor Symphony, the Clairion Symphony, and the New Symphony Orchestra. In 2007, he was a featured soloist in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. The 2010/11 season saw him perform the Schoenberg Piano Concerto under maestro Rossen Milanov, as well as appear as guest artist on both the Toronto Summer Music and the Banff Summer Arts festivals. Highlights of 2012 included a recital collaboration with internationally-renowned cellist Colin Carr, and a performance of the Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 4 with the University of Toronto Hart House Orchestra under Henry Janzen. Still upcoming for this year is a concert in December with cellist Dongkyun An at the PianoForte Salon in Chicago.

A proponent of new music and a regular member of the Esprit Orchestra, Ben also devotes much time to chamber music. He has been heard in this capacity on Classical 96.3 in Toronto, and has partnered with artists such as Bonnie Hampton, Mark Fewer, Wolfgang Redik (Vienna Piano Trio), Sonic Escape, the Talisker Players, the Annex String Quartet, and members of Amici and the Cecilia String Quartet. He has also worked with prominent conductors Steven Schick, Joel Sachs, and Werner Herbers, as well as composers John Corigliano, Reinaldo Moya, Bob Becker, and Chandler Carter.

Dr. Smith currently serves as a coach and collaborator for the Glenn Gould School (GGS) and the Young Artist Academy at the RCM. Previously, he taught on the faculty of the University of Western Ontario (2005-06), and he has also taught undergraduate piano for the Department of Music at Stony Brook University. His principal teachers include Andrea Battista, James Anagnoson, Julian Martin, and Christina Dahl. Along with a DMA from Stony Brook University, he holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Toronto, an Artist Diploma from the GGS, and a Masters from The Juilliard School.

“Intelligently rounded musicianship.” – The Irish Times

Jihyun Ahn, Cellist

Jihyun Ahn is a native of Seoul, South Korea where she was principal cellist with the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra. She is a graduate of Seoul National University and holds a Master’s degree from Mannes College of Music in New York City where she studied with renowned cellist Timothy Eddy. In 2008, while completing coursework for her PhD at Seoul National University, Jihyun moved to Canada with her family.

She won 1st prize in the World Daily News music competition, 3rd prize in the Jung-ang Daily News Music competition and 1st prize in the Mannes College Concerto competition. She has performed as a soloist with many orchestras including the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mannes College Orchestra. She has also given many recitals and chamber music concerts in New York City and Seoul.

Currently, she is principal cellist with the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra. She also regularly gives concerts for a number of charities in the Toronto area.